I Hate Systems

"Isn't this Pilkan?" Kowla muttered in confusion, staring at Duketace in alarm, "Did you fool me after all?"

"Idiot," Duketace only snorted in response before smiling wryly at Compass Carburettor, "I'm sorry, she's a bit slow on the uptake."

"That's fine, she's young and ignorant." Compass Carburettor waved his hand casually, "It's not her fault."

He then looked at Kowla, "You can address me as Pilkan to keep things simple."

'The appearance is the same but he seems like a different man now.' Kowla had been observing his actions until now, able to notice that the way Compass Carburettor sat, exuded power and authority, and the way he gazed at her were entirely different than the Pilkan in her memories.

The original Pilkan's face reddened every time he stared at her, not to mention him looking like he didn't know what to do while in her presence, acting awkward most of the time.

Moreover, there was a sense of admiration and longing in his eyes before. Kowla was pretty confident in her appearance.

'But, his gaze now seems vast, as if I'm not even registered in his sight. How could a person change this much overnight?' She was confused, asking in the end, "Who are you? What happened to Pilkan?"

"I've taken over his body now." Compass Carburettor replied as he looked at Duketace, "Let's head to that island now."

He pointed at the shore, at a ship that had just set sail, "There's more than enough food there to last us a month. I'll then help bring you to the peak of the Invoker Stage."

He didn't say anything to Kowla, neither inviting her nor commanding her to follow them. He simply ignored her, motioning for Duketace to follow him as the two began to make way towards the shore.

"Wait…" For some reason, as she saw the silhouettes of the two go far, Kowla ended up following them. It was a casual psychological tactic, making her feel as if she wasn't useful for their plans, forming a sharp contrast from when they tried to capture her before.

The difference in the intensity of treatment made her feel vacant which spurred her to follow them naturally, her curiosity triggered.

She soon caught up to them, watching them walk casually towards the sea. Kowla stared at the ground, noticing that the pace of their walking was set by Pilkan.

Only after he took a step did Duketace follow suit, shadowing him closely. If Pilkan stopped, then he did so too immediately.

It made her understand that it was Pilkan that was in charge while her father was only a subordinate. 'I need to observe more.'

Her curiosity was triggered and as it seemed their intention was her destination, she continued to follow them.

Compass Carburettor stared at the leaving ship, patiently watching it until it was a dot on the horizon. He then stared at Duketace, "Let's get going now."

Duketace brought out his Invoked Spirit as both the men climbed aboard. It then soared to the skies, chasing after the ship.

"They…didn't even glance at me once." Her breathing was rasped at the ridiculousness of the situation before she snorted and chased after them, barely managing to keep pace as she shouted in frustration, "How is dad's eagle so fast?"

Within a few minutes, the two eagles approached the ship.

"Captain, we have incomers." One of the sailors shouted from atop the mast, staring at the two figures of eagles approaching them, "They have Eagle Invoked Spirits, possibly from the Lan Clan."

"I'll meet them." The one addressed as the Captain said calmly, arriving at the deck as he stared at the approaching figures, announcing aloud, "Comrades, do respected Invokers have business with my humble vessel?"

"Have you spotted any eagle flocks in this region?" Having already been instructed, Duketace took the initiative to greet, asking the Captain humbly, "News of a separate flock reached our Clan and hence, they dispatched us to investigate the region."

"Are there any eagles here apart from the ones that migrate during this season?" The Captain stared at one of the sailors knowledgeable about the place.

"I haven't heard about anything in my knowledge, Captain." The Sailor replied, expressing a tinge of doubt, "The eagles reared by the Lan Clan are pretty vicious. If they were to see any other flock here, they would have destroyed them by now. They are fiercer and stronger than the ones you might chance upon in the wild."

"Thank you for your input, Captain." Duketace cupped his fists in response, "Then, we'll take our leave. We still have a lot of the area to scour."

"Do you know to steer a ship?" Compass Carburettor whispered to Kowla, startling her at the unexpected contact initiative.

"Of course, I was preparing to own my own one day." Kowla nodded. As she had been planning to live out in the seas freely, she had been polishing upon the required Knowledge since childhood. Among them were skills from paddling a boat to driving a ship.

"That should be good enough." Smiling in response, Compass Carburettor walked forward, extending his hand towards the Captain, offering a handshake.

The gesture felt odd, for only those at equal status shook hands in their world. And as a Superior Invoker, the Captain was above the likes of Duketace and the rest, the strongest of which was only a Common Invoker.

But still, upon observing the respectful way in which Duketace was treating Pilkan, the Captain thought, 'Judging by the way their relationship is, this boy must probably be a successor. It wouldn't be a loss to show respect to him then.'

Thinking as such, he extended his hand, grabbing hold of Pilkan's.

"What's the most disastrous event you've faced in the seas, Captain?" Compass Carburettor asked, expressing his interest while shaking hands with the Captain.

'Why isn't he letting go of my hand?' The Captain felt a tad weird shaking hands for more than two seconds. But, he maintained courtesy, continuing with the handshake that made him feel awkward as he spoke, "I encountered a thunderstorm years ago. That was a nightmare."

"Too bad," Compass Carburettor smiled, causing the Captain to frown as his smile widened, "You'll see something a tad more terrifying today."

Mist gushed out in torrential volume out of Pilkan, enveloping the entire deck within it.